Free Store

Father-son duo Noel and Aidan are looking forward to Aidan’s overnight camp trip thanks to Wayfinders as they bring their long camp shopping list to the Free Store. It’s the perfect solution to a Dad’s summer wish for his son.

Of the more than 1 million items that pass through the Free Store each year, a good number are new items donated by Walmart, thanks to a longstanding partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank. Recently, Walmart made a generous $20,000 donation to Crisis Assistance Ministry to support families struggling to meet life’s basic needs.

Now in its 10th year, the BB&T Lighthouse Project is a company-wide community service effort that engages thousands of associates to address critical community needs. In 2019, BB&T associates completed nearly 1,200 community service projects including more than 84,000 volunteer hours. Over the years, many BB&T teams have served at Crisis Assistance Ministry during their […]

Even in Spring, school uniform items are among the most frequently requested items by families visiting the Free Store. School clothes aren’t just needed in August. Some public schools follow a year-round calendar. Sometimes children grow in December. And, inevitably, that last pair of khakis sprouts a hole on the 15th of May. You can help.

Because of you, things are looking up for Patricia and her family. “I know it will get better,” she says. “Knowing you can reach out and get the help you need, it’s just a beautiful thing. That’s all I can say. You changed my life today. Thank you.”

Chuck Barger is a long time friend of Crisis Assistance Ministry and the families served here. When it came time to retire from his daily role at Common Market, he found a new way to use his retail skills, stocking Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Free Store with donated items for individuals and families who shop here free-of-charge.

If you could change one thing to make the world a better place what would you do?
Eleven-year-old Webb would “try to house all of the homeless people”. Just a middle schooler, he is already aware of Charlotte’s problems with housing instability and homelessness.

Angel and Tony earned trips to sleepaway camp through the Bruce Irons Camp Fund. But with their mom already struggling to make ends meet, the long supply list was a bit daunting. Fortunately, they were able to shop at the Free Store for flashlights, swimsuits, pajamas, towels, water shoes, toiletries, summer clothes, and more.